Hinsdale school district considers changes to drug, purchasing policies

February 05, 2013|By Annemarie Mannion, Chicago Tribune reporter

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills School District 181 is considering changes to its policies on procurement, purchases and administering medicine to students.

Those changes are currently on display for comment from the public, and are slated to be voted on at the board's Feb. 25 meeting.

One change would increase the amount from $1,000 to $2,000 that authorized staff — other than the superintendent — may purchase in one month with a district procurement or credit card.

Another states that prior school board approval is needed for all renovations or permanent alterations to buildings or grounds when the total cost will exceed $25,000. The amount currently is $5,000.

Another proposed change increases from $10,000 to $25,000 the amounts of supplies, materials or work that must be approved by the superintendent or her designee.

Superintendent Renee Schuster said the proposed increases reflect higher costs of materials, supplies and other items.

The fourth proposed change states that a student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector or EpiPen for immediate use at the student's discretion provided that the student's parents or guardians have signed a school medication form.

When pressed against one's body (usually your leg) a small needle shoots out from the pen-like cylinder and injects the medicine that is used for people with severe allergies. It keeps them from going into anaphylactic shock, which can stop breathing.

Schuster said the changes that are being proposed are not unique to the school district and are in keeping with new state laws.

The revised policies are on display at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple Ave. and at the District 181 administration center at 6010 S. Elm St., Burr Ridge.

The policies will be on display until Feb. 22. The public can also comment on the proposed changes by sending an email to the board of education at boe@d181.org.